At the Battle of New Market Heights 9/29/1864 outside Richmond, BG Thomas Paine commanded a strike force of African American soldiers from Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James in an attempt to divert CSA attention from the Petersburg defenses and possibly capture the rebel capital

The only preservation or interpretation of the battle that remains is this roadside sign on New Market Road, but the battle was massively important for the reputation of USCT soldiers. 14/16 Medals of Honor given to black soldiers during the war were awarded for actions here.

The 4th/6th USCT attacked rebel works first at 530a w/battle cry of “Remember Fort Pillow!” to memorialize a massacre of surrendering black troops by rebels @ a Union fort in TN earlier in 1864. Adv. across a rising plain/swampy creek, the assault had almost no chance of success

Sgt Maj Christian Fleetwood of the 4th, son of 2 free PoC from Baltimore, earned a Medal of Honor for ensuring the National flag continued to wave during an impossible assault on fortified works unsupported by artillery. The 4th/6th USCT lost 387 casualties/750 soldiers in 40 min

He wasn’t the only one to display such courage just to keep the flags waving. Sgt Alfred Hilton of the 4th USCT continued to hold the colors up after being shot through the leg and Cpl Charles Veal seized them before they touched the ground

1st Lt Nathan Edgerton came across the body of 2nd Lt Frederick Meyers near this spot. Meyers had already been killed, but the regimental flag of the 6th USCT was still “gripped in his lifeless fingers.”

A small # of USCT soldiers breached the rebel works in this first assault, but were forced to retreat in the face of overwhelming small arms fire. A second assault 3 hours later by the other 2 USCT brig of Paine’s Div carried the works and opened the New Market Road to Richmond.

But the left wing failed to take the rebel pos. up the road and “instead of finding an open door to Richmond which would have ended the war with African American troops leading the way!..instead just led to another bloody battle and more time in the lines” -NPS Ranger Mike Gorman

Riding over the field after the battle, Maj Gen Butler was visibly moved by the African American soldiers’ sacrifice. He had @TiffanyAndCo cast 200 medals for the USCT soldiers of Paine’s division. Fleetwood displays his along with his Medal of Honor in a postwar photo.